Cigarette lighter case



May 26, 1953 J. L. MCCRACKEN CIGARETTE LIGHTER CASE Filed March 26, 1951HASv ATTORNEY K Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2Claims.

This invention relates to shock resisting, waterproof cases forcigarette lighters, and has for one of its objects the production of asimple and eincient case having a full ioating inner member` which isyieldably supported by an inset elastic ring carried by the outer memberand engaged by the cover.

A further object of this invention is the production of a simple andefficient shock resisting Water-proof case for cigarette lighters,wherein the inner member is resiliently suspended within the outermember and is suspended from one end of the outer member.

Other objects and -advantages of the present invention will appearthroughout the followingV specication and claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the cigarette lighter case;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken at right angles to Figure 1,on line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a modified form of the casing with acircular contour.

By referring to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that I designatesthe outer member in which is slidably tted the inner member I2. Theinner member I2 is of a proper contour to fit within the outer memberID, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The inner member I2 is provided with aclosed top I3 and an open bottom I4. An inwardly pressed channel orgroove I5 is formed in the exterior surface of the inner member I2 justbelow the closed top I3. The channel I 5 receives the thick elastic ringII, which ring is cemented in the channel I5, or it may be held in thechannel I5 by means of the contracting elasticity of the ring I I. Thering I resiliently and yieldably suspends the inner member I2 within theouter member I0 and constitutes a yieldable seal the outer member I0 andthe inner member I2. The ring II is pressed tightly against the upperend of the outer member when the inner member I2 is fitted into theouter member I0.

The outer member I0 is provided with an inwardly pressed portion I6adjacent the closedv bottom I'I of the member I0, to constitute a rigidabutment for contact with the bottom open end I4 of the member I2 topositively limit the inward movement of the inner member I2 into theouter member I0 While assembling the parts and to hold the open end I4out of contact with the bottom I1. The inner member I2 is also providedwith the vertical inwardly pressed groove I8, extending upwardly fromthe open bottom I4 for receiving the vertically spaced inwardlyprotruding lugs I9 and 20, which are carried by the inner face of theouter member Il), near the lower end thereof. 'Ihis structureconstitutes a means for properly locating the members I0 and I2, and forpreventing rotary twist of the inner member within the outer member whenthe parts are assembled. It is especially advantageous where the case iscircular in cross-section, and in all cases tends to prevent the innerand outer members from abutting against each other at their bottom ends.

A conventional wick 2I and a conventional igniting means 22 are carriedby the closed top I3 of the inner member I2, and extend inwardly of themembers I0 and I2, as shown in Figure 2. A cap or cover 23 is adapted tosnugly fit over the upper ends of the inner and outer members, as shownin iFigures l and 2. The lower edge of the cover or cap 23 rests snuglyupon the thick elastic ring I I to dene a sealed pocket above the closedtop I3 of the member I2 when the cap or cover 23 is closed. A iiatspring 2d is shaped at a suitable contour to engage the hinge clip 25which is fixed to theside of the member I below the ring II, and tothereby provide a hinge connection for connecting the cap `23 to themember I. The spring 24 extends over the cap or cover 23, as shown inFigure 1, and is preferably anchored or fixed, as at 216, to the top ofthe cap or cover 23. The spring 24 is provided with a free end 2 whichis apertured and is adapted to engage the latching lug 28 of thelatching plate 29 carried by the outer member Il) to releasably hold thecover or cap in a closed and sealed position in engagement With thethick elastic ring I I. When the free end 21 is moved outwardly out ofengagement with the latching lug 28, the cap or cover 23 willautomatically move to an open position, such as the dotted line positionunder 'the action of the hinging spring 24, when access may be had tothe igniting and lighting means.

It should be understood that the cigarette lighter case II)EL may becircular in cross-section, as shown in Figure 4, or substantiallyrectangular in cross-section, as shown in. Figures l to 3 inclusive. Itis not desired to limit the casing to any one shape, since the shape maybe varied to suit the fancy of the manufacturer and the conven1ence ofthe user.

The inner member I2 is stuffed or filled with absorbent cotton 30 andthis cotton extends around the wick 2| and iiint tube of the ignltingmeans 22, as shown in Figure 2. This absorbent cotton 30 is saturatedwith lighter uid and any excess fluid is shaken oi before the innermember I2 is inserted into the outer member I0. The inner member I2 ismoved inwardly of the outer member until the ring II abuts the upper orouter edge of the outer member to provide a seal therebetween and toalso provide a shock absorber when assembling the members. The spacebetween the open end I4 of the member I2 and the bottom I'I provides achamber for receiving drippings of iiuid which might fall from theabsorbent cotton.

When igniting the lighter, and when the operators thumb pressesoutwardly and down- Wardly around the contour of the wheel 22%, torotate the Wheel 22a in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2,the resultant pressure upon the top of the inner member I2 will forcethe inner member I2 into the outer member until the resilient ring IIovercomes or balances this downward pressure. This movement of themember I2 into the member l0 creates a compression within the members toforce turbulent gas from the luel upwardly and outwardly through thewick aperture .".Ia at vthe time the spark is thrown toward the Wick,causing the ignition of the gas and wick, as a result of the activatedsupply of gas which is very susceptible to ignition. It should be notedthat the Wick is by nature compressible under pressure of the gas withinthe lighter vcase so that the compressed gas will pass out between thewick 2l and the wick aperture 2 Ia.

It should be understood that certain detail changes may be made in thepresent invention and fall within the spirit of the invention, so longas these changes fall within the vscope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A cigarette lighter Case comprising an outer member having an opentop and a closed bottom. an inner member tted in the outer member, aresilient band carried by the inner member and engaging the outer memberto constitute a resilient yieldable and compressible buffer and sealtherebetween, the inner member having a closed top and open bottom, alighter fluid saturated absorbent iiller within said inner member, acompressible wick carried by said inner member and extending into saidsaturated absorbent ller, an igniter carried by said inner memberadjacent the wick for igniting the wick,

said member being movable inwardly within the outer member underpressure counter to and against said resilient band to force compressedgas which is present in the uid out between the Wick and the wickaperture and to thereby facilitate ignition of the Wick as the igniteris actuated, the resilient band being adapted to be cornpressed as theinner member is pressed inwardly of the outer member by an operator, andproviding an automatically expanding means to expand when pressure isrelieved by an operator to automatically move the inner member outwardlyof the outer member to its normal position.

2. IA cigarette lighter case comprising an outer member having an openouter end and a closed bottom, an inner member, a thick elasticresilient and compressible band secured to and surrounding the closedouter end of said inner member,

said inner member having an open bottom and a closed top tted in theouter member and inwardly spaced relative to the outer member, meansretaining a lighter fluid within the members, said inner member having agroove formed around the top thereof adjacent the closed top, said bandfitting in said groove for attaching and yieldably suspending the innermember for sealing the members together, a wick carried by the top ofthe inner member, an igniter carried by the top of the inner member, ahinged cover carried by said outer member enclosing the Wick and igniterand the upper end of the inner member and labutting said elastic band toenclose and seal the area adjoining the wick and igniter, a latchingmeans for said cover, and said elastic band constituting a resilientseal between the cover and said outer member and being adapted to expandwhen said latching means is released to automatically and initiallyswing said cover to an open position.

JOHN L. MCCRACKEN.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,484,287 Halko Oct. 11, 1949 2,503,640 Speck Mar. 11, 1950FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 530,901 France Oct. 12, 1921 944,879France Nov. 15, 1948

